This newsletter brings you information about faculty grants obtained for Oklahoma higher education. We hope you enjoy seeing the work of your colleagues. Why not congratulate some, and contact others for a collaborative project! Let us know if you have other grant information you wish to share. Congratulations, and have a great winter!

The University of Central Oklahoma hopes to increase the number of Oklahomans with college degrees. The funds will support expansion of the university's Operation Degree Completion (ODC) program, a graduation initiative that has resulted in more than 650 bachelor's degree graduates since Central started the program two years ago. The project identifies students who are not currently enrolled but may be very close to completing their degree. Advisors reach out to them to help them take final steps toward a degree. Dr. Jay Corwin directs the project.

OK INBRE - $17,104

Dr. Robert Brennan, Biology, and UCO received funding for research on "Identification and Characterization of Staphylococcus ureus biofilm secreted products roles in inflammation and lack of re-epithelialization of chronic wounds."

EPSCoR - $2,499

Dr. Gang Xu, Engineering & Physics, and UCO received funding for research on "Cell biomechanics applied to biomedical and biofuel research."

OSRHE - $17,626

Dr. Mohamed Bingabr, Engineering & Physics, and UCO received funding for research on "Cochlear-implant speech-coding strategy based on the time waveform zero-crossing behavior."

US Department of Education - $250,000

Dr. Gregory Wilson, Office of Research & Grants, and UCO received funding for the UCO Upward Bound Math & Science project. Barry Lofton is the Director.

Dr. Deborah Landry, project director, and NSU, received funding to support the Celebration of Teaching Conference held in Spring 2013. The funds will be used to support and sustain education career aspirations among students (particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse populations) and teaching professionals.

Dr. Jennifer McCann , project director, and NSU, received a grant to enhance the overall post secondary educational experience of students, particularly the low income, American Indian population.

CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIZATION TRAINING - $110,000 - US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, CHILDREN'S BUREAU THROUGH STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Dr. Virginia Whitekiller and NSU received funds for leadership training to child welfare mid-managers and supervisors across the country. The project will develop a national plan for dissemination of best practices in child welfare. NSU plans to enhance current academic curriculum foundation offered for social work students with a career interest in child welfare. Stipends will be offered to students who participate in the program as well as opportunities for professional development and leadership skills.

Dr. April Adams and NSU received funds for professional development for certified science teachers who want to become certified to teach Chemistry and Physics, and teacher candidates in Biology, Physical Science or Earth Science secondary science teacher preparation programs who want to become certified in Chemistry and Physics teaching.

TURN to Teaching - $9,000 - OSRHE

Dr. Allyson Watson and NSU received funding for a partnership with Tulsa Public Schools to increase the number of teaching professionals committed to working with minority students in the field of education.

Genetic Analysis of Ard 1 - $9,280 - OSRHE

Dr. Joseph Ahlander and NSU received funds to preparation of a grant proposal for submission to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Anita Thompson and NSU received funding to support the Cappi Wadley Reading Center's utilization of emerging technology and literacy tutoring to improve reading skills of at-risk students in grades K-12 in Northeastern Oklahoma. Funds will be used to assist in purchasing materials, supplies and equipment for the center. A Family Literacy night will be funded in

part by this award.

OCRD-Oklahoma Center for Rural Development -

$100,000 - Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Ray Murphy and NSU received funding to support economic development partnerships, and Oklahoma communities' analysis reports in areas such as demographic summary reports and thematic maps.

Linda West and NSU received funds to purchase hardware/software as needed for the development of web based information literacy tutorials to be shared among the group.

Cherokee Language Degree Program - $100,000 - Cherokee Nation

Dr. Leslie Hannah, Project Director, and Wyman Kirk, Project Faculty Coordinator, and NSU received funding to continue to produce teachers who are fluent in speaking, reading, and writing the Cherokee Language. Culture and heritage will also be a part of the Bachelor of Arts in the Cherokee Education degree.

Teriki Hicks, Project Director, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University received funds for services to adults who seek to enter or continue a program of post-secondary education. Services include counseling on educational opportunities, college admissions, testing, career options, student financial aid assistance, tutoring, and coordination with other agencies and post-secondary institutions.

Student Support Services - $345,130 - US Department of Education

Susan D. Dodson, Project Director, and SE received funding for services to low-income, first generation college students and students with disabilities, including tutoring, personal and academic counseling, cultural experiences, career guidance, enrollment assistance specially designed workshops, and special services.

Dr. Rozanna San Miguel May, Project Director, and SE received funding for services to low-income, first generation college students and to students with disabilities, including tutoring, personal counseling, cultural experiences, career guidance, enrollment assistance, specially designed workshops, and special services for 140 eligible students.

Smart Start Durant Professional Development - $1,000 - US Department of Health and Human Services

Scott Hensley, Project Director, Heather Smiley, Smart Start Coordinator, and SE received funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services via Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation, Inc. to provide professional development activity for the Smart Start Community Coordinator.

Upward Bound Math-Science - $294,150 - US Department of Education

Larry Dresser, Project Director, and SE received funding to provide comprehensive services to increase high school graduation rates, increase competency in challenging subject matters, encourage eligible students to pursue math and science studies and careers, and help gain parental participation in the growth of their children to 66 eligible participants per year from eight surrounding counties in Southeastern Oklahoma and Grayson County, Texas.

Dr. Tim Patton, PI, and SE received funds via the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct research on fish species and fish habitats in the lower Pecos River in Texas.

Connect2Complete Program - $409,668 - US Department of Education

Leslie C. (Chris) Wesberry, Project Director, Tim Boatmun, Co-Director, and SE received funding for services to low-income, first generation college students and to students with disabilities, including tutoring, personal counseling, cultural experiences, career guidance, enrollment assistance, specially designed workshops, and special services for 140 eligible students.Project Director, and SE received funding for the Musical Art Series.

NWOSU GRANTS

ITQ - US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION VIA OSRHE - $60,000

Dr. Steven Maier, PI, and NWOSU received funding for Teacher Quality professional development.

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UPWARD BOUND - US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - $250,00/YR FOR 5 YEARS

NWOSU was awarded 2 Upward Bound grants, Upward Bound Classic and Upward Bound Math and Science. Brad Franz is the PI on both, with Jaunita Noble serving as program director.

Featured Article

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology will provide $1.35 million to seven applied research projects. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology will provide $1.35 million to seven applied research projects. OCAST received 39 proposals, and external reviewers recommended 12 for funding. But available funds allowed support only of the highest ranked 7 projects.

The recipients are:

*Liuling Yan, of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, received $90,000 to develop wheat resistant to diseases.

*Ranji Vaidyanathan, of Oklahoma State University in Tulsa, received $89,896 to developthermo- electric devices.

*Daryoosh Vashaee, of Oklahoma State University in Tulsa, who received $89,873 to develop a pro-cess for solar hydrogen production.

Khosrow Namjou, of Lightwave Photonics in Ardmore, received $300,000 to develop a process to lower the cost and speed the adoption of light-emitting diodes as a replacement for incandes-cent bulbs. Patrick McCann, of iRpowr Inc. in Norman, who received $183,900 to improve thermo-photovoltaic technology, which converts heat into electricity. Gerald Koelsch, of CoMentis Inc. in Oklahoma City, received $300,000 to develop a drug to treat memory cognitive loss in Alzheimer's and schizo-phrenic patients. Scott Rollins, of Selexys in Oklahoma City, received $300,000 to develop a therapy for patients with Crohn's disease.

The 4th Annual Promoting Undergraduate Research Conference will be held on April 5, 2013, at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center, 655 Research Parkway. You can learn more about initiating and enhancing undergraduate student research programs at this excellent one-day conference. Students who engage in research as undergraduates have a 90-100% degree completion rate! Watch for the call for presentations and the registration!